JetBlue planes taxi on a runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

(Newser)
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A potty-mouthed passenger was the last straw for a JetBlue flight attendant who cursed out the customer on the PA system of an arriving flight at New York's JFK airport today, then deployed the emergency slide to make his getaway. Steven Slater was arrested at his home nearby and charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, reports the New York Post. "I can’t believe Steve’s on the run," said a neighbor. "He’s like OJ Simpson. He must have snapped."

"To the fucking asshole that told me to fuck off, it’s been a good 28 years," Slater bellowed at a passenger who had tried to retrieve luggage while the aircraft was moving. The bag hit Slater, who asked for an apology and got a flurry of profanity, reports the New York Times. The flight, from Pittsburgh, was carrying about 100 passengers. JetBlue said in a statement, "At this time, we are working with the FAA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to investigate the incident."

He should have held his temper and waited to file a complaint with the police when arriving at the gate. The foul mouthed passenger is probably laughing his butt off and probably getting ready to reopeat his feat on his next flight. He should be served a summons for his offensive, indecent language.

inkedheart

Aug 10, 2010 2:05 PM CDT

Being in customer support I can say only one thing: The general public behaves in a way where they are self entitled and disrespectful. I don't blame Steve the flight attendant if I was smacked in the head with a piece of luggage then told to fuck off I think I would have lost it too. If the passenger would have hit a woman in the head with his luggage would he be the one in the custody right now? What Steve should have done was notify the air marshal or the airport of this dude and file assault charges. America stop being so damn rude and nice up!